Signs Your Car Needs a Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignment is one of those jobs nobody thinks about until a tyre is ruined. The angles your wheels sit at are set to fractions of a degree, and one firm pothole or kerb is enough to knock them out. Here are the signs to look for, and the ones that can fool you.
In short: The main signs are a car that drifts or pulls to one side, a steering wheel that sits off-centre when you drive straight, and tyres wearing faster on their inner or outer edge. Sometimes the only symptom is the uneven wear, which is why it is worth checking after any hard knock or when new tyres go on.
1. The Car Pulls or Drifts
On a straight, flat road, a well-aligned car should hold its line with a light touch on the wheel. If you are constantly correcting it, the alignment is a suspect. Bear in mind that most UK roads slope slightly towards the kerb for drainage, so a gentle drift to the left can be the road rather than the car. Try it on a level stretch before drawing conclusions.
2. The Steering Wheel Is Not Straight
If the car is going straight but the steering wheel badge sits off to one side, the front wheels are not pointing where the steering thinks they are. It often appears after a kerb strike, or after steering or suspension parts have been replaced without the alignment being reset.
3. Uneven Tyre Wear
This is the one that costs money, and it is often the only sign. Look at the front tyres across their full width:
- Wear on the inner or outer edge only: the classic sign of misalignment. The inner edge is the one to check, because it is the hardest to see.
- A feathered feel, where each tread block is smooth one way and sharp the other when you run your hand across the tyre: typically the wheels are toed in or out.
- Both edges worn more than the centre: usually under-inflation rather than alignment.
4. After a Pothole, Kerb or New Parts
Even with no symptoms, it is worth checking alignment after a heavy pothole or kerb strike, when you fit new tyres, and after any steering or suspension work such as track rod ends or springs. Our post on track rod end advisories explains why steering parts and alignment go together.
When It Is Not the Alignment
Pulling is not always alignment, and we would rather tell you that than sell you a job you do not need. A soft tyre on one side, a brake that is binding, or a tyre with an internal fault can all make a car pull. Check your tyre pressures first: it is the cheapest fix there is.
Book at Our Tyres & Alignment Centres
If any of these sound familiar, get the alignment measured. Our two dedicated Lindleys Tyres & Alignment centres measure and adjust alignment on the rig, and both offer 2 and 4 wheel alignment:
- Daleside Road, Colwick, NG2 4DH: 0115 704 4253
- Furlong Street, Arnold, NG5 7AQ: 0115 704 3109
Both are open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm and Saturday 8am to 1pm. You can book wheel alignment online or give either team a call.
Inner-edge wear like this hides on the side of the tyre you cannot see from the kerb. By the time the cords show, the tyre is beyond saving.
Measuring a front tyre our technician found feathering on, at our Carlton branch. Both fronts were feathered, and worn suspension parts had to be repaired before the alignment could be set.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my wheel alignment is out?
The usual signs are the car pulling to one side, an off-centre steering wheel when driving straight, and tyres wearing on one edge. Sometimes uneven wear is the only symptom, so it is worth a check after any hard knock.
Can a pothole knock out wheel alignment?
Yes. A heavy pothole or kerb strike can shift the alignment angles, and can also damage steering and suspension parts. If the car feels different afterwards, have it checked.
Should I get an alignment with new tyres?
It is a good time to do it. New tyres are the most expensive thing misalignment wears out, so checking the alignment when they go on protects them from day one.
Why does my car pull to the left?
Road camber is the most common reason: UK roads slope towards the kerb. If it pulls on a level road, the cause could be alignment, a soft tyre, or a binding brake, so all three are worth checking.
